Hurricane Helene Updates
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the City of Hickory will update this page with critical news and information. For the latest City of Hickory updates, continue to check this page as well as the City’s Facebook page, City of Hickory, NC – Government, and the City Twitter feed, @CityofHickory.
RECOVERY ASSISTANCE
FEMA Individual Assistance Program applications are available at disasterassistance.gov. Guidance on how to apply for FEMA assistance has been provided by the NC Department of Public Safety here.
U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loans for Residents and Small Businesses.
SBA Disaster Loan Fact Sheet
SBA Recovery Centers
Small Business Disaster Resource Guide
WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
For local resources to assist with storm recovery, visit The Chamber of Catawba County's Hurricane Helene Business and Community Resources guide.
If disaster strikes your home or vehicle: Post Disaster Guidance.
Red Cross List of Shelters in Western NC
WNC Disaster Recovery Newsletter
FACILITIES & PARKS
Hickory libraries and recreation centers are operating regular hours. All City parks are open seasonal hours with the following areas/amenities remaining closed:
- Riverwalk overwater bridge and trailhead parking lot
- Portions of the walking track at Henry Fork River Park
- Grass fields at Henry Fork River Park
SOLID WASTE COLLECTION
The City of Hickory Solid Waste Division thanks everyone for their continued patience and participation with the cleanup of storm debris following Hurricane Helene. The City’s Solid Waste collection operations resumed on Saturday, Sept. 28, for both residential and commercial customers. Residents are asked to place their rollouts to the curb on their service day, and crews will get to them as quickly as possible. Read more.
For a limited time, the Solid Waste Division will waive special pickup fees specifically for yard waste. Contractors are still required to haul all their materials off to a properly licensed facility for disposal. The City of Hickory has not given permission to any contractor to place any materials to the curb for pickup. Follow all requirements for placing items to the curb or it will further delay service.
Click here for more information and important collection tips.
ROADS & TRAFFIC
For the latest road information from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), visit DriveNC.gov. There may be closed roads not listed. Do not go around barricades or closures. Please be mindful, as there may still be low hanging or down power lines due to the storm.
DONATIONS
The Catawba County United Way has reached capacity and will not be accepting donations for the Hurricane Helene relief efforts after Wednesday, Oct. 9. As we move toward longer-term recovery for our region, material distribution to those in need in Western NC will be increasingly handled by state and federal resources. Residents wanting to help are encouraged to consider donating financially toward these efforts locally at Catawba County United Way and statewide at the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund.
Funds that have been established for hurricane recovery donations include the following:
North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund
Catawba County United Way
North Carolina Community Foundation (several funds established)
United Way of North Carolina Recovery Fund
North Carolina Network of Grantmakers (list of several established funds)
VOLUNTEER
To sign up for disaster recovery volunteer opportunities across Western NC:
Volunteer NC
NC Voluntary Organizations in Action
COUNTY UPDATES
STATE OF EMERGENCY
The City of Hickory declared an official state of emergency on Thursday, Sept. 26, effective 10 a.m., in response to Hurricane Helene. The emergency declaration activates the Hickory Emergency Operations Plan for all departments. The declaration also authorizes the City to apply for financial assistance, if needed, through state or federal agencies.
CODERED ALERTS
To receive important storm information and local emergency notifications, please sign up for CodeRED emergency notification alerts by clicking here.